In Central America, Episcopal Relief and Development is continuing its fight against the mosquito carrying hemorrhagic dengue fever. In 2000, ERD issued a $25,000 grant to Honduras and another to El Salvador when it became apparent that hemorrhagic dengue was working its way into Central America for the first time in history. Dengue had existed in earlier forms, but this particular strand was particularly viral and sometimes fatal. In 2001, the work against dengue has continued with large fumigation programs and education campaigns taking place throughout the affected region.

The programs operate in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the hospital system, and the church in their respective regions. The hospital system notifies the ministry when there are cases of dengue fever reported in the area, and the ministry contacts the Episcopal Church. Lay ministers and other church members don gas-operated fumigation machines (which operate as backpacks) and kill mosquitoes in the "high-risk" communities. In El Salvador, the dengue program also contributes medical supplies to clinics for help in caring for those currently infected.

The fumigation itself is not sufficient to eradicate the problem, because insecticide only kills larvae breeding at the moment. The real hope for a cure is destroying the habitat of the dengue carrying mosquito (standing water), so the mosquitoes cannot breed and live.

Both programs are accompanied by an education component. Educators (from the Episcopal Church and the Ministry of Health) travel alongside the fumigators into the affected areas, talking about the lifecycle of the mosquito and the dangers of standing water in discarded tires, potted plants, and stopped-up sinks, all of which are breeding grounds for the larvae. Families are encouraged to dispose of their standing "tubs," and technicians also recommend that chlorine be periodically applied to wash basins, toilets, and areas around the house where water stands. Families are encouraged to do this once a week in between fumigation, and are provided with the first few months of chlorine to get them started.

Local papers in Honduras report that the Episcopal Church is doing over 60 percent of the fumigation in the north of Honduras. Together with other authorities, ERD and the Episcopal Church is providing the means to slow down and possibly destroy incidents of dengue fever in Central America. Emergency funds are thus set to work to combat a chronic problem.